Factors To Consider When In The Market For A Ping-Pong Table
If you are in the market for a ping pong table, then you have many to choose from. Of course, it depends on your skill level, budget, and seriousness about the sport.
If you're a serious player, what you're looking for in a table is different than it would be if you're just playing for fun.
Aside from your approach to playing, other factors exist, too. These include the thickness of the tabletop, the table's sturdiness, and tabletop surface. You'll also want to consider its storability, too.
It is not necessary to spend a lot of money on a ping pong table. This is especially true when the majority of its use will be by a family with young children. Buying a less expensive table is ideal. While learning how to play, there will be less concern when the table is beat up or misused.
On the other hand, if you or someone else begins to have a more serious approach to the game, then your approach might change. A more expensive table that requires more care or maintenance might be more prudent.
If your house or apartment doesn't have much room, then you might want to buy a fold-up table. One with rollers that can be folded easily by one person and rolled into the closet or corner for storage.
If you have more room, then buying a table that can just be left down all the time is a viable alternative, too. However, any table with rollers is not a bad idea, for the sake of convenience.
The thickness of the tabletop is another thing to take into account. The more serious ping-pong player insist that 1-inch thickness is necessary. The average player, however, will do just fine with a three-quarter-inch thickness.
The thicker table is more expensive, of course. Usually, much more so, yet the difference in play is not too noticeable unless you're a serious player. Therefore, unless you are serious, the difference play due to thickness is not worth the overwhelming difference in price.
Regardless of how much you spend or what thickness your table top is, you should buy a sturdy table. A table with strong legs will stand up to the test of time, not to mention the rough treatment it might get from kids. Strong legs supporting the table will simply make it more durable and last longer.
In the end, all that matters should be your satisfaction with the table. The table you buy should have a smooth, even finish. No patches or rough spots, either. And make sure the bounce of the ball is consistent, too - about 9-10 inches in height when dropped from about a foot off the table.
If you're a serious player, what you're looking for in a table is different than it would be if you're just playing for fun.
Aside from your approach to playing, other factors exist, too. These include the thickness of the tabletop, the table's sturdiness, and tabletop surface. You'll also want to consider its storability, too.
It is not necessary to spend a lot of money on a ping pong table. This is especially true when the majority of its use will be by a family with young children. Buying a less expensive table is ideal. While learning how to play, there will be less concern when the table is beat up or misused.
On the other hand, if you or someone else begins to have a more serious approach to the game, then your approach might change. A more expensive table that requires more care or maintenance might be more prudent.
If your house or apartment doesn't have much room, then you might want to buy a fold-up table. One with rollers that can be folded easily by one person and rolled into the closet or corner for storage.
If you have more room, then buying a table that can just be left down all the time is a viable alternative, too. However, any table with rollers is not a bad idea, for the sake of convenience.
The thickness of the tabletop is another thing to take into account. The more serious ping-pong player insist that 1-inch thickness is necessary. The average player, however, will do just fine with a three-quarter-inch thickness.
The thicker table is more expensive, of course. Usually, much more so, yet the difference in play is not too noticeable unless you're a serious player. Therefore, unless you are serious, the difference play due to thickness is not worth the overwhelming difference in price.
Regardless of how much you spend or what thickness your table top is, you should buy a sturdy table. A table with strong legs will stand up to the test of time, not to mention the rough treatment it might get from kids. Strong legs supporting the table will simply make it more durable and last longer.
In the end, all that matters should be your satisfaction with the table. The table you buy should have a smooth, even finish. No patches or rough spots, either. And make sure the bounce of the ball is consistent, too - about 9-10 inches in height when dropped from about a foot off the table.
